Life

Isaac Isidor Rabi was born into a Jewish family in what was then Austria, but the family emigrated to the U.S. when he was one year old. During almost his entire career, he was associated with Columbia University in New York. During World War II, Rabi took part in development of the atomic bomb. After the war he promoted peace and the limiting of nuclear weapons. He also played a significant role in establishing major research laboratories in Bookhaven and CERN. Isidor Isaac Rabi was married and had two daughters.

Work

Protons and neutrons in nuclei act like small, rotating magnets. Atoms and molecules therefore align in a magnetic field. In 1938, Isaac Isidor Rabi passed a beam of molecules through a magnetic field. When the beam was exposed to radio waves, the direction of rotation could be changed, but only in certain stages, in accordance with quantum mechanics. When the atoms returned to their original positions, they emitted electromagnetic radiation with uniquely characteristic frequencies.

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In 2018, 12 new laureates were awarded for achievements that have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind.

Their work and discoveries range from cancer therapy and laser physics to developing proteins that can solve humankind’s chemical problems. The work of the 2018 Nobel Laureates also included combating war crimes, as well as integrating innovation and climate with economic growth. Find out more.

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